HAUGHTY STRANGER

"Who's she?" 

Monica's eyes followed Mirabel's to me, and she smiled. "She's Abigail, my step-niece I've been telling you about."

"Oh my, come here dear," she gestured with her hand for me to come closer and she hugged me when I did. "I've heard so much about you, and you're very gorgeous too."

I smiled, this time it wasn't feigned.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Please call me mum." She released me from her embrace and I felt very confused. 

Why should I address her as Mum?

I forced a smile and decided not to lose my composure. Whatever confusion I had was going to be dispatched when I left this place.

"Of course, mum."

She chuckled and called out the name of the man who stood beside her, attending to the guests, and his attention was immediately pulled to us both. 

"Gerald, come. Meet Abigail, the girl Monica's been talking about."

He excused himself from the guests and walked to where we stood. "It's good to finally meet you, my dear." His polite words sounded sincere, including the smile on his face, and I returned it.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Don't be so polite my dear, you can address me as Father. After all, you'll be getting married to Liam soon."

I blinked a couple of times to hide my confusion, before smiling once more.

What the hell was going on? It wasn't stated in the contract that I had to get married to anyone, so why was marriage coming in?

I looked at Monica who stood behind me and she gave me a quick smile and nod to proceed with whatever was happening. Not wanting to act cautious, I turned back to the lovely couple whose faces were beaming with joy.

Mirabel stared at me admiringly for a while before asking, her eyes wandering around the room, "Liam's supposed to be here. Where is he, Gerald?"

Mr. Gerald took a quick look around, turning to all the corners of the hall to get a good 360-degree survey, before saying as his eyes came back to her face, Don't worry, my love," he placed one of his hands on her shoulders, "you know he doesn't fancy parties, but if he gave his word to come around, he'll be here soon."

She nodded with a smile and he planted a soft kiss on her head. 

"See... He's here already."

Everyone's eyes trailed Mr. Gerald's to the entrance of the room where a young, handsome man walked into the room leisurely with another man behind him.

I caught a glimpse of his familiar face when I looked amidst the people through the table gaps and damn, I would be lying if I said he wasn't attractive. 

His thick, dark hair framed a perfectly sculpted diamond face, with prominent muscular bones which I could see from the black shirt he wore easily, casually, like he was born in one. Two buttons from the collar were left unbuttoned and I couldn't help but admire his broad muscular chest that was visible from his shirt. 

His nonchalant eyes surveyed everyone who stood in his path and whoever he made eye contact with beamed with joy, even if no one was brave enough to hold his gaze.

As his deep blue eyes finally came to mine when he got closer to me, a rush of awareness ran through the length of my spine. I gasped upon realizing who he was - the haughty stranger who provoked me earlier. He must have also recognized me cause a sly grin formed at the sides of his lips. 

I looked away immediately, pretending to look at something interesting elsewhere just so I wasn't looking at him. Even though I wasn't looking at him, I could still feel his magnetic presence pulling me from across the room where he was.

How dumb am I not to have felt this when we first met?

I felt tingles coating my skin when he walked past me and his scent like a waft adored my nostrils. Damn! He smelled as nice as he looked. 

He didn't bait me an eye for the second time, but walked over to Mirabel and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, making her smile.

"You're finally here. What took you so long?"

He spoke calmly, "Sorry, I'm late. I had a bit of emergency on my way." His deep voice echoed in my head.

I bit my lips as I prayed silently for the emergency not to be me.

"It's good you're here, anyways," Mr. Gerald said and Liam acknowledged him by calling out his name, "Father," which made a side of Gerald's lips curve.

"This is Abigail," Mirabel introduced and Liam spared me another glance.

I felt like sinking into the ground cause everything I said to him kept playing over and over again in my head. He must've remembered it word for word. He gave me a cold stare and I swallowed unconsciously.

What am I supposed to do if he brings that up in front of everyone? My first good impression would be ruined.

"And Abigail, this is my son, Liam," Mirabel introduced him as well.

I smiled nervously, stretching my hand towards him even if my entire body vibrated within. I would just have to pretend nothing happened earlier between us and take this meeting as our first one. I hoped he did the same.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Anderson. I've heard so much about you."

He stared at my hand for a brief second before taking it in his. "I wish I could say the same, Miss Abigail, but fortunately, your peculiar face is quite irresistible, one someone can hardly forget, don't you agree?"

Oh shit! He's planning on bringing it up.

I stuttered, half embarrassed, "T-thank you," biting my bottom lips as I stared into his cold eyes. "It means so much coming from you."

I pleaded silently as I held his eyes for a while for him not to bring it up until Mirabel interrupted.

"Since there's a party already, why not take this chance to announce your engagement?" 

"Huh?" My wide eyes showed my perplexed emotion as I looked at Mirabel before shifting to Monica who seemed okay with everything that was going on up until this point. 

"I don't see a reason why not," Gerald continued, "Excuse me for a minute." 

He walked away from where we stood and picked up a mic where he began giving the announcement.

What the fuck is going on?

I watched how the guests applauded cheerfully on the revelation of our engagement and how everyone's eyes fell on me and the billionaire bachelor. I gradually began to panic and it became even worse when I turned to see Liam's impassive face.

I could feel Monica's eyes on me, and I fought hard for composure so as not to ruin my job, but when I was positive I lost it, I excused myself from everyone and walked out of the room.

I couldn't still fathom how my job escalated from just seducing a billionaire to getting married to him.

What would my parents say if they found out about this?

There was no way the engagement of the most influential man in the country wouldn't spread like wildfire. It's only a matter of time before the news gets to them.

Oh God!